Ballarat City Council rates 2026-27
2026-27 budget, incl. municipal charge
The average residential rate in the Ballarat City Council area for 2026-27 is $1,683 a year, from the council's 2026-27 budget. That's 2% below the VIC median of $1,714.
Victorian figures are each council's average residential rate for 2026-27: the residential general rate revenue in its 2026-27 budget divided by its number of residential assessments, plus the municipal charge where the council sets one. Waste and other service charges are excluded, and so is the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. It is not the same statistic as the New South Wales average residential rate or the Queensland minimum general rate, so the three are never ranked against each other.
For context, the audited 2024-25 average rate per property assessment for Ballarat City Council, which counts every rateable property including commercial and farm land (Local Government Performance Reporting Framework indicator FIM-E4), was $2,086.
Victorian council rates are capped on the average rate per rateable property, set at 2.75% for 2026-27 by the Minister for Local Government on Essential Services Commission advice, after 3% for 2025-26. The cap applies to the council's average, so an individual rates notice can move by more.
See the full cost of living for your suburb in Ballarat City Council
Where council rates sit in a typical Ballarat City Council running cost
Last updated November 2026 · source: Ballarat City Council 2026-27 budget, statement of rates and charges
The 2026-27 average residential rate
This is an average across the council's residential assessments, not a fixed charge. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, the value of the land and the home on it, so a home worth more than the area's typical property pays more than $1,683 and one worth less pays less. The rate cap limits the council's average rate, not any one notice.
How Ballarat City Council compares with other regional city councils
| Council | Average residential rate | vs Ballarat City Council |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Geelong City Council | $1,624 | $-59 |
| Ballarat City Council (this council) | $1,683 | n/a |
| Wangaratta Rural City Council | $1,703 | +$20 |
| Greater Bendigo City Council | $1,758 | +$75 |
Victoria groups its councils by size and setting, and this table is Ballarat City Council's own group, regional city, nearest by figure. Across all 79 Victorian councils the median is $1,714, and Ballarat City Council is 2% below the VIC median of $1,714. The ranking is within Victoria only, because the Queensland and New South Wales figures on this site are different statistics.
See how Ballarat City Council compares with all 79 Victorian councils, or read how council rates are calculated.
See what your Ballarat City Council suburb actually costs to run
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Suburbs in the Ballarat City Council area
Prefer to browse? Ballarat City Council covers 39 suburbs in SuburbCost, each with council rate, water, commute, insurance and estimated electricity, plus a free report:
All 39 suburbs in Ballarat City Council
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average council rate in Ballarat City Council?
The average residential rate in the Ballarat City Council area is $1,683 a year for 2026-27, from the council's 2026-27 budget: residential rate revenue divided by residential assessments, plus the municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual homes pay more or less than the average. Waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy are billed on top.
How do Ballarat City Council rates compare with other Victorian councils?
Ballarat City Council is 34th cheapest of 79 Victorian councils on the average residential rate for 2026-27, 2% below the VIC median of $1,714. Among regional city councils, Greater Bendigo City Council reports $1,758 and Wangaratta Rural City Council reports $1,703.
How much can Victorian council rates rise each year?
Victoria caps rates through the Fair Go Rates System. The Minister for Local Government sets the cap before 31 December each year on Essential Services Commission advice, and it is 2.75% for 2026-27, after 3% for 2025-26. The cap applies to a council's average rate per rateable property rather than to any single rates notice, so an individual bill can move by more. Waste and other service charges sit outside the cap, and a council can apply to the commission for a higher cap.
Can Ballarat City Council rates be compared with Queensland or New South Wales councils?
Not directly. The Victorian figure is an average residential rate from each council's own budget, including its municipal charge. New South Wales figures are the average residential rate councils report to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by the rate peg, and Queensland publishes a minimum residential general rate, which is a floor rather than a typical bill. Three states, three different statistics, so SuburbCost ranks them separately and never totals them.